Dell computer, lost XP CD

Hello. Some family asked me if I could take a look at the communal computer, as it was having trouble. In short, it's a cesspool of malware and assorted stupidity (at least one virus, toolbars, regularly spawning exception dialogs, et al). It really needs a clean install of XP (and maybe some stern warnings on a plaque next to the monitor). Family lost the installation CDs though.

Where should I go from here, do you think? I'm dying to install Linux, but I don't think that'll pan out, unless they aren't using the Windows-only programs as much as I think they do.

 

Call Dell, they should send you out another. Of course, in the meantime, you could go the Adaware, Spybot, AVG and CCleaner route

 

any windows xp disk will work. even if its from a friends dell. ask around! or you might (im not saying to do this, this is only informative, but you can download it on the web too if you need).

 

Just any windows disk won't work. I tried to use my dad's copy of windows with my key on my computer once, to save myself the bother of installing sp2 separately (or slipstreaming), and it wouldn't install.

Might just use a friend's disk. I'm sure it's out of warranty by now. Does Dell send replacements out indefinitely?

 

Could he do a Magic Jelly bean to get the XP serial, and then Torrent the same Version to install?

 

No, it doesn't. Not sure if there's a time limit involved, or the limit is based on versions used or whatever. My son had a machine which was in the same sort of shape the OP described his machine. I cleaned it out but it took forever and a day. Eventually, we wiped the drive and installed PCLinOS, which is great if you just need to browse the Net and check email with an old beater machine, and don't have time or energy to learn a new system.

 

Limit or no, Dell should send you a CD. Especially since you've never requested one before. I've requested the OS CD on one PC twice (family lost the first one too) and they didn't care.

Denying the request is to deny you something you paid for!

 

Agreed, but they don't always do so.

 

Well, you might just have to keep talking to different reps. I've never come across a situation in which I couldn't get a CD...